SMILE - Promoting Positive Mental Health

Gorey Community School, Gorey, Co. Wexford, 2012

SMILE - Promoting Positive Mental Health
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CATEGORY: Make Our World Healthier Challenge (Mental Health)

The Idea

Mental health became the main focus of this project group due to high suicide rates in Wexford and also several students had taken their own lives from their school. It has affected everyone in their own way.

The Action

The class organised a Smiles in the Square Day which involved handing out stickers, face painting, a bake sale stand with smiley faces, and another class performed a Zumba routine. The students also organised a Jump for Joy photo competition.

They were hoping to bring the Jump for Joy exhibition to the local library and community and to display all the photos entered into the competition.

Research was carried out on various websites such as www.o2thinkbig.ie and www.headstrong.ie and the students attended a training day on what positive mental health is, in conjunction with the Think Big programme by O2.

The Impact

Links were made with Nuala, Sinead, Claire from O2, Headstrong, Brian O’Driscoll, South East Radio, People Newspaper and the Echo Group.

Award Winner
2012 Making Our World Healthier - Mental Health Award
Challenge supported by
Make Our World Healthier Challenge (Mental Health)